Indonesian quake toll raises to 103

Many residents spent Monday night under makeshift tents outside their damaged homes, fearing the rumbling aftershocks that continued on Tuesday.

The Antara News Agency said more than 500 people had been injured, half of them seriously. Doctors in Bengkulu town, the provincial capital, were struggling with a shortage of beds, medicine and blood and were treating victims in hospital parking lots.

Surjadi Soedirja, coordinating minister for political and security affairs, said Indonesia needed international assistance. "In this situation, we expect help. The situation now is worse," Soedirja told reporters after meeting President Abdurrahman Wahid in Jakarta.

"Because the airport cannot be used, it is hampering the arrival of aid. So aid will be delivered by sea and land. Maybe we will use military helicopters to drop food," he said.

Red Cross officials in Jakarta said they could not mobilise resources nationally until instructed by the Government. The local Red Cross in Bengkulu has been active in rescue efforts.

The earthquake, one of the largest recorded in the world during the past decade, had sparked fears of a tsunami along Bengkulu’s coast.

Police are also worried of incidents of looting that may take place in Bengkulu town and extra officers have been deployed to prevent this.

"We have deployed more police to guard destroyed houses. There are fears that these houses may be looted," Sergeant Chandra Lutfi said.